FOA Reviews Are In: The iPad Is 'A Winner'

As expected, The Friends Of Apple (FOA) reviews of the iPad have arrived two days before the actual iPad itself, and as expected, those reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Also, I think it's interesting that each, in its own way, addresses the standard iPad complaints ("it's just a big iPod," "the A4 chip isn't actually a new design," etc.). Needless to say, none find it lacking in any meaningful way, and all of them tick off major marketing points fed to them by Apple.

FOA #1, The WSJ's Walt Mossberg, is the most heavy-handed in his Apple bias, and he provides the easiest read if you just want to check off the list of things Apple needs to see appear in reviews of its products. It's almost like they wrote this review, in fact. It's no wonder Apple loves him.

I believe this beautiful new touch-screen device from Apple has the potential to change portable computing profoundly, and to challenge the primacy of the laptop. It could even help, eventually, to propel the finger-driven, multitouch user interface ahead of the mouse-driven interface that has prevailed for decades ... it could be a game changer the way Apple's iPhone has been.

It's qualitatively different, a whole new type of computer that, through a simple interface, can run more-sophisticated, PC-like software than a phone does, and whose large screen allows much more functionality when compared with a phone's. But, because the iPad is a new type of computer, you have to feel it, to use it, to fully understand it and decide if it is for you, or whether, say, a netbook might do better.

While it has compromises and drawbacks, the iPad can indeed replace a laptop for most data communication, content consumption and even limited content creation, a lot of the time. But it all depends on how you use your computer.

I also was impressed with the overall speed of the iPad. Apple's custom processor makes it wicked fast.

I did run into some annoying limitations ... the iPad is much heavier than the Kindle and most people will need two hands to use it. The iBooks app also lacks any way to enter notes, and Apple's catalog at launch will only be about 60,000 books versus more than 400,000 for Kindle. The email program lacks the ability to create local folders or rules for auto-sorting messages, and it doesn't allow group addressing. The browser lacks tabs. And the Wi-Fi-only version lacks GPS. Also, videophiles may dislike the fact that the iPad's screen lacks wide-screen dimensions, so you either get black bars above or below wide-screen videos, or, if you choose an option to fill the screen, some of the picture may get cut off.

All in all, however, the iPad is an advance in making more-sophisticated computing possible via a simple touch interface on a slender, light device. Only time will tell if it's a real challenger to the laptop and netbook.

Up next, FOA #2 David Pogue. Pogue is one of those guys who can't just write an article. He has to be cute, and tries to be funny. He's the type of guy who, in high school, when they announced that the class was going to put on a production of "South Pacific," shot his arm in the air and yelled "me! me! me!". That said, there are some good comments here if you dig and, unlike the other guys, he raises some interesting and even non-obvious critiques that you know Apple doesn't want to see appearing in reviews.

The Apple iPad is basically a gigantic iPod Touch.

The simple act of making the multitouch screen bigger changes the whole experience. Maps become real maps, like the paper ones. You see your e-mail inbox and the open message simultaneously. Driving simulators fill more of your field of view, closer to a windshield than a keyhole.

Apple asserts that the iPad runs 10 hours on a charge of its nonremovable battery — but we all know you can’t trust the manufacturer. And sure enough, in my own test, the iPad played movies continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. — more than 12 hours. That’s four times as long as a typical laptop or portable DVD player.

There’s an e-book reader app, but it’s not going to rescue the newspaper and book industries (sorry, media pundits). The selection is puny (60,000 titles for now). You can’t read well in direct sunlight. At 1.5 pounds, the iPad gets heavy in your hand after awhile (the Kindle is 10 ounces). And you can’t read books from the Apple bookstore on any other machine — not even a Mac or iPhone.

When the iPad is upright, typing on the on-screen keyboard is a horrible experience; when the iPad is turned 90 degrees, the keyboard is just barely usable (because it’s bigger).

The iPad can’t play Flash video ... all the news sites and game sites still use Flash. It will probably be years before the rest of the Web’s videos become iPad-viewable ... There’s no multitasking, either. It’s one app at a time, just like on the iPhone. Plus no U.S.B. jacks and no camera. Bye-bye, Skype video chats. You know Apple is just leaving stuff out for next year’s model.

At least Apple had the decency to give the iPad a really fast processor.

The iPad is so fast and light, the multitouch screen so bright and responsive, the software so easy to navigate, that it really does qualify as a new category of gadget. Some have suggested that it might make a good goof-proof computer for technophobes, the aged and the young; they’re absolutely right.

The first iPad is a winner. It stacks up as a formidable electronic-reader rival for Amazon's Kindle. It gives portable game machines from Nintendo and Sony a run for their money. At the very least, the iPad will likely drum up mass-market interest in tablet computing in ways that longtime tablet visionary and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates could only dream of.

The iPad has its share of Version 1.0 inadequacies. It doesn't multitask, save playing iTunes music in the background. There's no webcam for those of us hoping to do video chats. The battery is sealed. It's too big for your pocket. Videos failed to play at Hulu and ESPN, among other Web destinations.

Apple has pretty much nailed it with this first iPad, though there's certainly room for improvement. Nearly three years after making a splash with the iPhone, Apple has delivered another impressive product that largely lives up to the hype.

So what do we have here? We got what we expected to get. What we really need to do is wait until Saturday until the real reviews appear. And while I'm not surprised that these guys were almost universally positive, I do expect big things from the iPad given its physical limitations. It's an Apple product. Even the ones that don't do well in the market are beautiful to look at. The iPad, at least, will be that.

@rr0de74 - "I like the free entertainment that both you and Paul provide when you get your panties in a knot."
Sorry, but it seems that it is you that has your undergarment of choice in a knot. You seem to forget that I use and support many OSes on a daily basis...many that you have never heard of. I choose to use OS X at home most of the time. My wife has an iPod and a regular old cell phone. I use a Plam Pre...WebOS may not be the best selling mobile OS, but in my mind, it appears to be the most powerful and intuitive one. But, thanks for admitting that you are nothing but a troll here, it puts some perspective on your opinions.
--tayme

@Ocean "from a feature by feature standpoint it blows the iPad out of the water"
What about usability?"
What about it? The Slate has a full Windows 7 operating system; a full OS is more usable than a mobile operating system. If you mean usability functions like a built in camera, USB ports, WiFi, full multi-touch and sensors built it, then I think that is obvious. Granted, there are things we don't know yet, like whether the device will have a 3G (which is a biggie for some people).

"Needless to say, none find it lacking in any meaningful way, and all of them tick off major marketing points fed to them by Apple."
Is not that exactly what you do Paul, but for Microsoft?
Unlike the FOMS (friends of Microsoft) at least these reviewers attempt to address their perceived shortcomings of the product. Paul on the other hand goes out of his way to apologize for shortcomings of Microsoft products, such as Windows Phone 7, which he proclaims his love for, by writing articles trying to convince people that it does multitask (in a certain way), that cut and paste is not that important, etc.
This is hardly a new phenomena for you either. You gave Vista 4/5 rating and claimed:
"You should also note that none of the items I've listed as "bad" are particularly horrible. This supports my notion that Windows Vista, taken as a whole, will be an overwhelmingly positive experience for most users."

@yoshipod: "When you think about it, which approach is better, taking an OS which is built for touch from the ground up, having all its features and interfaces designed around that, or a desktop OS will touch grafted on that still has the overall interface design based on a mouse?"
Uh, no. Windows 7 was designed to support Multi-touch from it's very beginning.
You see, I use a multi-touch laptop on a daily basis, so I am very familiar with how Windows responds to a touch interface.
Additionally, being a Senior Windows programmer, I am very familiar with the undelying API's and support for touch (as well as location and other sensor devices).

"You seem to forget that I use and support many OSes on a daily basis...many that you have never heard of. I choose to use OS X at home most of the time. My wife has an iPod and a regular old cell phone. I use a Plam Pre...WebOS may not be the best selling mobile OS, but in my mind, it appears to be the most powerful and intuitive one."
Your mistake, I did not forget because that implies I actually acknowledged those alleged "facts" or care about them. Neither is true.
I would, if I were you, ebay/craigs list that "Plam Pre" now because when Palm folds up shop it will be hard to off load that thing.

"The Slate has a full Windows 7 operating system" and that matters to whom? Tech bloggers or consumers?
How about 100,000+ applications that are easy to get, easy to install and cheap on day 1? Does that matter?

"What about it? The Slate has a full Windows 7 operating system; a full OS is more usable than a mobile operating system."
Not really. Window 7 is shoehorned into a tablet PC, where as the iphone OS is designed specifically for that form factor. That is the difference.
Sure you can "do more" on the Windows 7 tablet, but it will likely be harder than the ipad. Look at how both OSes use drop down menus. The iphone OS has large easier to read and touch menus, whereas the Windows tablet still use the standard size ones that were meant to use with a mouse, not a finger. That is why I say usability will be better on the ipad.
Applications written for a desktop/laptop PC are not going to be optimized for a touch tablet. Will they run, or course. Will they be as easy to use, not likely.

"Senior Windows programmer" So does that mean your the oldest Windows Programer? Is that in your house, company, state, country or prison facility?
How do you attain such a title? Can you provide proof of purchase and two forms of ID? Photo ID?

"Sure he is Apple fan, but he has 10x the journalistic integrity and respect compared to the author of the Winsupersite..."
Why do you say that? Because sheep flock together?
"When you think about it, which approach is better, taking an OS which is built for touch from the ground up, having all its features and interfaces designed around that, or a desktop OS will touch grafted on that still has the overall interface design based on a mouse?"
Ya yoshi, show me where OS X was designed for multi-touch from the ground up. iPhone OS is just a variant of OS X anyway right? Or are you arguing that, even though Jobs himself said that it was at the first WWDC for iPhone. Are you arguing with the mighty Jobs? Likewise, show me where BSD Unix was designed for multi-touch from the get-go. There is no "from the ground up" with the iPhone OS, because nothing in it is new.

rr0de74 - You keep digging yourself into a deeper and deeper hole here. You do realize that you have become fairly manic today? Manic to the point of ranting foolishly and typing so fast and hard that you are missing keys...just trying to help you out, here. Take a few hours off this afternoon and relax. Maybe go have a beer at a local pub or go for a run to work off some of your anger. Just chill out, before you hurt yourself.
--tayme

Sorry for being a little confusing. I really should have said UI, not OS, my bad.
The UI of the iphone OS is designed from the ground up around touch. There is no other way to interact with it.
The UI of Windows 7 is not. It is based off of years of desktop OS UI design. Touch is an add on in that respect. Does it support it, of course. Is it entirely built around it, no way.
This does not mean Windows 7 is bad in any way. Its just that when looking at the form factor, which UI will be better. One specifically designed for that form factor, or one that was originally developed for a totally different form factor?

Will the Slate be able to fit words on a single screen, unlikely Windows 7 Mobile? I would hate to have to read a book that isn't able to fit simple words like February on a screen: http://i39.tinypic.com/o8v581.png
Tha woul totall suck, becaus it makes readi very difficul, let alon that the horribl interfac makes it very uneas to use in everyda life.
Btw: how many Couriers have been shipped last week? Or Windows Mobile 7? Anyone...?
Windows Mobile 7 may also ship without multitasking and copy/paste functionalities, if that would speed things up.
Oh wait...no multitasking and copy/paste on Windows Mobile 7. Very retro. Hopefully they will be in retro brown, just like the grandmacouchbrown Zune.

@yoshipod - "One specifically designed for that form factor, or one that was originally developed for a totally different form factor?"
You seem to be contradicting yourself. Isn't the form factor of an iPhone completely different than the form factor of an iPad? I thought that it was more than just a big iPod.
--tayme

"How about 100,000+ applications that are easy to get, easy to install and cheap on day 1?"
Yes, I'm sure Apple has high hopes of reaching that "Over 1 billion apps served" status.... :P
"How do you attain such a title?"
By actually being it, unlike you who paid for his IT diploma online by responding to an email.
"Can you provide proof of purchase and two forms of ID? Photo ID?"
Sorry rrode, but your fake ID is obvious, and your IT credentials invalid.
"You mean like the 150,000+ applications available right now for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad?
Oh and ZERO viruses!"
Who needs viruses with Apple penny pinching you on ripoff/fake applications and Google taking all of your personal data?

"Oh wait...no multitasking and copy/paste on Windows Mobile 7."
And where, or where, is multitasking on the iPhone or iPad?
Windows Mobile - RIGHT NOW - has multitasking.
Also, show me where the iPad and iPhone will save a programs state so that a user can resume where they left off....
Ya, I didn't think so.

Wae,
""Sure he is Apple fan, but he has 10x the journalistic integrity and respect compared to the author of the Winsupersite..."
Why do you say that? Because sheep flock together?"
Because Pogue writes about BOTH Macs and Windows! Go look at missingmanual.com and see the books he's authored!
Paul owes his entire livelihood to the success or failure of Microsoft, no one else. The hilarious thing is that Paul constantly refers to Pogue and Mossberg (and anyone else he envies) as "biased", when Paul is the one with the enormous bias.
It's basically a "follow the money" argument. Paul confirms it himself,
"It's time for Microsoft to respond to the challenges it faces with leadership and authority. And if you care about the systems you support now, your jobs, and your very livelihood, you might do demand the same from the company. All of us have backed the same horse."
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/ms_swiftboat.asp

"Also, show me where the iPad and iPhone will save a programs state so that a user can resume where they left off."
Ah yes, if you can use the rumour-argument for proposed 3D graphics in the iPad, you should also use them regarding the upcoming iPhone 4.0 software. Which would include multitasking via Expose methods. And more.
Now I am sure you took the same 'Selective Arguments 1.0' course Paul took.
Btw: your Windows Mobile - RIGHT NOW' has ridiculous multitouch, an Appstore that doesn't get you sh*t and a user interface that, like I said before, makes bellbottom jeans look like a thing from the future.

@Waethorn:
"Also, show me where the iPad and iPhone will save a programs state so that a user can resume where they left off...."
Try using iPod on an iPhone, quitting, then going back to it.
Try Google maps to do the same.
Try Mail,
Try Safari,
Try Calculator,
Try Notes,
Etc. Etc. Etc.
All these resume where you left them.
You have no idea what you're talking about.

@Tayme:
As opposed to Microsoft, who most people believe they have to buy from them because they have no other option?
Your quote displays the level of trust in Apple products.
Bet Microsoft wishes they had the same level of trust.

@infiniteloop - Everyone that I know realizes that they have a choice for home use, but most still choose Windows. Myself, I do most of my home computing on OS X. You truly read that quote as a "trust" thing and not a rabid fan boy thing?
--tayme

"You seem to be contradicting yourself. Isn't the form factor of an iPhone completely different than the form factor of an iPad? I thought that it was more than just a big iPod."
I'll be the first to agree the ipad is basically a really big ipod touch.
But that is really the whole point of what I am saying. The UI for the iphone OS is designed specifically for a touch device and not a desktop one.
That is why I think it is going to be much easier to use.

"All these resume where you left them.
You have no idea what you're talking about."
And where is that functionality for third-party apps?
Microsoft is making that functionality available for developers.
"Microsoft, who most people believe they have to buy from them because they have no other option?"
As opposed to Apple, who wants them to think that way.

"And where is that functionality for third-party apps?
Microsoft is making that functionality available for developers."
I'm pretty sure that many of the dumb little games on my iphone save the state and return right where I left them.
Not so much for "information" type apps as those always try to update with the most recent data upon launch.
So I think the functionality does exist if developers choose to use it

@ Waethorn:
"Also, show me where the iPad and iPhone will save a programs state so that a user can resume where they left off...."
I showed you where, and included Googlemaps - which is a 3rd party App.
Microsoft doesn't have a product yet, let alone making it available for developers.

"I showed you where, and included Googlemaps - which is a 3rd party App."
It's bundled with the iPhone, so it doesn't exactly count. In fact, I'm pretty sure it falls under the "no duplicate functionality" rule for third-party devs, meaning that Apple counts it as first-party.

@Waethorn,
Yes, I know that the iPad does not support flash and THANK GAWD! It may run well under Windows but Flash is a terrible experience on the Mac. Looking at the cash logs it's the leading source of issues on my machine and I use all the flash blockers I can fine for Safari, FireFox and now Chrome. I really don't need these animated ads of women jumping up and down over mortgage rates next to something I'm trying to read. That said there are ways to place an iPhone wrapper on Flash stuff and some other recent announcements but in the end I hope that either Adobe cleans it up or more and more vendors support other standards as YouTube does on the iPhone and the HTML5 on the desktop.
More important Waethorn there have always been sites that don't render well on one or another platform. Flash is going to have to get more robust and lightweight if it's not going to end up like ActiveX of old.
Again this is my opinion and you may disagree but in three years of as an iPhone user I have had maybe 10 instances where the lack of flash was really an issue.

"Microsoft doesn't have a product yet, let alone making it available for developers."
Actually, they already have a development environment for it - even before the product is released. Funny that. Apple took the better part of a year before they seeded an SDK.

I remember watching someone at an airport a couple of years ago, who did something on his MacBook Pro (maybe some spreadsheet stuff) for a while, then took out his iPod Classic and listened to some music, and finally took out his white iPhone and watched a movie on it. Maybe the next time I run into him, he'll pull out his new iPad and pretend to read a novel on it in addition to the above three activities.
I guess most people who will end up buying iPads already own either an iPhone or an iPod Touch. It's kind of like buying a 12" laptop for its portability followed by a 17" laptop for its screen size and carting both around. The iPad more or less duplicates functionality seen in the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

This quote is classic - "If Apple sold groceries, I would buy groceries from them," says Matthew Rice, who works for pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.--tayme
Belittle Apple fans all you want, but there isn't a company in the world that doesn't try to get their customers to feel that way and wished their customers did feel that way.

@FalKirk - "Belittle Apple fans all you want, but there isn't a company in the world that doesn't try to get their customers to feel that way and wished their customers did feel that way."
I would and do say the same about a person who blindly supported Chevrolet or Kelloggs or Nike. Product preference is one thing, but blind company loyalty is simple minded.
--tayme

Pogues email newsletter contained this:
Q: Am I really supposed to buy this thing when I already
have a laptop and an iPhone?
A: It always surprises me how many people are made
indignant by the very thought of the iPad, as though Congress passed a law that requires you to buy one!
You're not, as it turns out. Buying one is totally
optional.
That said, the question is a little odd, because the iPad
really is very different from a laptop or an iPhone. I
guess people have a lot of trouble with the idea that it's
a new category, something unlike anything they've used
before. All people can do is compare it in their heads
with stuff they HAVE used before.
But I'm telling you, the multitouch screen/software makes
it very, very different from a laptop, and the screen size
makes it very, very different from an iPhone. It's
something entirely new. So yes, if it appeals to you,
you'd have to buy it in addition to your laptop or iPhone.

The funny thing is that I got an Iphone because Paul said to buy it, not Mossberg. I guess I trusted that Mossy would like it almost no matter if it was a POS. If Paul calls an Apple product good, then it must be so.

The truth is that the iPad will be a massive hit, a winner. Apple will do with tablets what Microsoft never did. Microsoft's dream was to make tablets mainstream, but never did it. Now Apple will show them. Then, as per usual, Microsoft will copy them. Microsoft does not innovate. They throw the word around to try and convince themselves they do, but they no longer innovate. They haven't done so for a long time.
Apple and Google innovate.

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